Eighth generation to be confirmed at St. Paul's church

Saturday

James M. Huggins, 14, will be the eighth generation of his direct family line to be confirmed as a member of the church.

A local youth will set a milestone when he is confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Monroe Sunday.

James M. Huggins, 14, will be the eighth generation of his direct family line to be confirmed as a member of the church. The confirmation rites will be part of the regular Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. at the church, 4615 W. Albain Rd. The public is invited to attend.

James is the son of Michael and Nancy (Heck) Huggins. Mrs. Huggins and her siblings — Mark Heck and Julie Heck — will be the oldest Heck family members at the confirmation. They are seventh-generation members.

“All of the prior generations in James’ direct line are buried in the church cemetery,” his father said in an e-mail Monday.

Jacob Frederick Heck, a German immigrant, arrived in Monroe with his wife, Katharina, in July, 1831. They were founding members of the church when the first services were held in 1833, Michael Huggins said.

“They would help build a log church in 1839,” he said. “The successive generations would remain faithful members of the church for 185 years. This year will be 185 years since the first service, and 180 years since incorporation.”

Jacob Frederick Heck is James’ fifth great-grandfather. James’ father, Michael Huggins, married into the church 35 years ago

“When I married a Heck girl, I married into a long Monroe family lineage,” he said. “You can feel the history here. All of my wife’s ancestors are buried right here in the church yard.”

James says that he’s glad to be completing his confirmation lessons, something he’s worked hard on for the last two years. He said he’ll be glad to be able to take communion with his parents and other adults. Members of the church have been “wishing him well and patting him on the back,” his father said.

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